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Disneyland Books

01-19-2018, 06:59 PM

Hey guys-not sure this is the right forum for this or not, but I am looking for good books to read on Disneyland History or even just Disney history in general. Hoping to find some people have read that they enjoyed. Just looking for some good bedtime nightly reads. Any pointers are appreciated! Thanks!

"Disneyland is often called a magic kingdom because
it combines fantasy and history, adventure and learning,
together with every variety of recreation and fun,
designed to appeal to everyone."
- Walt Disney

"Disneyland Inside Story" by Randy Bright. These are heavy on pictures as well. For a straight-out history book, massively footnoted and extensively researched but with fewer photos, "The Disneyland Story" by Sam Gennawey can't be beat. And finally,

The hardbound souvenir books sold by Disneyland over the years, up through the 45th anniversary one. I find "Disneyland - The First Quarter Century" to be particularly good.

"Disneyland Inside Story" by Randy Bright. These are heavy on pictures as well. For a straight-out history book, massively footnoted and extensively researched but with fewer photos, "The Disneyland Story" by Sam Gennawey can't be beat. And finally,

The hardbound souvenir books sold by Disneyland over the years, up through the 45th anniversary one. I find "Disneyland - The First Quarter Century" to be particularly good.

I'm in the same boat and agree with your recommendations (and own them). Additionally, I would recommend the Disneyland Hotel books by Donald Ballard as well. Additionally, I have every one of the Van Eaton Gallery catalogs for Disney/Disneyland auctions. They are a TREASURE TROVE of information.

Comment

I am always reading about Disneyland history...and presently one of the books is stunningly good! My library full of materials has not covered as much detail about building the park than...’Three Years in Wonderland: The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park by Todd James Pierce.‘
I am in awe of Walt Disney’s perseverance all the more. Hardly an economic motivation...’dreams don’t offer much collateral’...it cost him greatly to get there. (Quit his own company, fractured his families, hocked everything possible including the Studio’s films, got into business with some dirty dealers...lost the land several times, screwed over by various unions during construction, the outright failures of opening day, etc.) No wonder they didn’t have time or money for brass plaques over the entrance tunnels yet.

sigpic

"Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money."
- - Walt Disney

"Disneyland is often called a magic kingdom because
it combines fantasy and history, adventure and learning,
together with every variety of recreation and fun,
designed to appeal to everyone."
- Walt Disney

Thanks - Mr Wiggins
YES...man I miss the old Monorail Bar !
In the old days .....that place to go ......and get away from the park........and watch the Monorail speed from
old parking lot into the Hotel Station ,specially at night !
Old Disneyland Hotel sure was a : 'A Special get to way - Place'.....by it self .

Soaring like an EAGLE !

1 like

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Three Years In Wonderland- Todd James Pierce. A wonderful account of Disneyland's creation, meticulously researched and very well written. Probably the most complete (and accurate) account of Disneyland's creation on the market- many stories I hadn't heard, and many urban legends of that period are laid to rest.

The Myth and the Mouse- Dorene Koehler. Views Disneyland through the lense of a place of ritual. Written by a Ph.D in mythological studies, it discusses Disneyland in a more serious sense- analyzing it as a place of mythology, ritual, and meaning. Excellent read and changes how you view the park.

Cleaning the Kingdom- Ken Pellman and Lynn Barron. Lengthy (could have probably been a little bit shorter) accounts of two custodial cast members who worked in the 90s-early 2000s. Many cost saving measures of the time are discussed, as well as what the culture and environment was like. Genuinely written by two excellent members of the Disneyland fan community, there's lots of great insight.

The Unauthorized History of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion- Jeff Baham. Excellent account of the Mansion's creation.

It's Kind of a Cute Story- Rolly Crump (as told to Jeff Heimbuch). Not necessarily Disneyland specific- but lots of excellent stories of Disneyland's early years as told by former Imagineer and Disney Legend Rolly Crump.

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When are the next books coming out? I have all your printed books. Would love the ones which are e-books only to be published in print.

I have finished the text on my new book covering the 1960's and am now working on the pictures and captions. This decade was so dynamic in the Hotel's history and this book will probably be double the size of my previous editions and triple the amount of photographs. I should have a cover photo for the new book very soon and will share here.

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I hLooking forward to that, Don!!ave finished the text on my new book covering the 1960's and am now working on the pictures and captions. This decade was so dynamic in the Hotel's history and this book will probably be double the size of my previous editions and triple the amount of photographs. I should have a cover photo for the new book very soon and will share here.

Comment

I am always reading about Disneyland history...and presently one of the books is stunningly good! My library full of materials has not covered as much detail about building the park than...’Three Years in Wonderland: The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park by Todd James Pierce.‘
I am in awe of Walt Disney’s perseverance all the more. Hardly an economic motivation...’dreams don’t offer much collateral’...it cost him greatly to get there. (Quit his own company, fractured his families, hocked everything possible including the Studio’s films, got into business with some dirty dealers...lost the land several times, screwed over by various unions during construction, the outright failures of opening day, etc.) No wonder they didn’t have time or money for brass plaques over the entrance tunnels yet.

I am reading this book now and concur completely. This may be the best book ever written about the construction and opening day(s) of Disneyland.

Comment

I've read great things about Chris Nichols' book, Walt Disney's Disneyland, as well. I hear it is almost predominantly focused on the park in its pre-cash grab days of old. So it sounds like the kind of book that would appeal to those of us purists who love the philosophy that embodies the park's founding and the vision of its creator. Not the nouveaux concept of all money, all the time, with as little thought and imagination as possible.

Comment

Yes, the new Taschen edition by Chris Nichols is spectacularly well done and absolutely beautiful; but I’m now reading a new book which is perhaps the ultimate description of Disneyland origins that has ever been written...really breaking down the detail on who did what, when, and where to truly create the place.

Inventing Disneyland: The Unauthorized Story of the Team That Made Walt Disney’s Dream Come True.